[MX rider]

Originally Posted by MandoMan

IF a waitress averaged $13 an hour for forty hours a week, that would be about $25,000 (before taxes) a year, which is less than I earn in Social Security payments, and my Social Security is much less than half of my yearly income. I earned $25,000 a year my first year as a tenure-track professor with a Ph.D., back in 1986. My family and I were renting an old apartment for $460 a month. Try to find an apartment for that price today!

Waitresses may not be well-educated, but they can work full-time and still be at the poverty level. It’s hard to be hopeful about life with an income like that.

I usually dine alone, yet I take up a table that could provide a tip from four people. Accordingly, since moving to The Villages, I’ve made $10 my BASE tip. If 20% of the check is greater than $10, I pay the greater amount. Otherwise, I tip $10, even if the meal is $13, and even if I’m at a self-service buffet where the waitress is simply refilling my water glass. If I’m having a dinner with other people and we have separate checks, I also tip $10. I’m not sharing this to brag but to show a way for those who have plenty to reward hard-working people who are living on the edge. It’s not a way to earn one’s way into heaven. I’ve been blessed, and I want to bless others. I want to say thank you.

That's awesome!! We tip very well too. We're not rich by any means but we like helping others do better. Especially if the server is excellent and hard working. Good servers deserve a good tip. 20% is the minimum. 15% went away years ago.